Fire extinguisher



Sept. 22, 1964 A. R. BLAIR FIRE EXTINGUISHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 7, 1963 Sept.22,1964 R.BLA|R 3,149,677

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed March 7, I965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ARTHUR R. BLAIR @amJWM/W ATTQRNEY United States Patent 3,149,677 F EXTlNGUlSl-ER Arthur 1!. Blair, Clifton, NJ., assignor to The Fyr-Fyter (Iompany, Dayton, Qhio Filed Mar. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 263,459 6 flaims. (Q1. 169-31) The present invention relates to fire extinguishing equipment, and more particularly to a combination carrying and discharge handle for a portable fire extinguisher.

In extinguishing a fire it is important that the extinguishing agent be applied to the fire as quickly as possible before the fire has gained headway. In furtherance of this purpose various means have been proposed to reduce the time and effort in readying an extinguisher for operation against a fire. Heretofore, a construction has been provided utilizing a fire extinguisher with a combined operating and discharge handle. Such a construction is described in U.S. Patent No. 2,489,339 issued November 29, 1949 to I. H. Stroop and titled Fluid Pressure Medium Dispensing Means. The Stroop construction uses the operating member of a valve as the carrying handle, the operating member being blocked from operation while the extinguisher is carried by latching the handle under the discharge horn which is held by a bracket on the extinguisher.

Because the operating handle must be swung away from the extinguisher to place it in discharging condition, it is obvious that it would be difiicult to carry the extinguisher to manipulate the discharge stream on the fire. Another construction is described in U.S. Patent No. 2,719,590 issued October 4, 1955 to A. B. Guise and titled Fire Extinguisher. This patent discloses a construction which utilizes the discharge hose as blocking means for an operating lever, a separate carrying handle being provided for the extinguisher. In using this extinguisher it must be set down on the ground, the hose removed, the operating handle pressed, and the carrying handle again picked up to manipulate the extinguisher.

The present invention aims to overcome the difficulties and disadvantages of prior devices by providing a fire extinguisher having a combination carrying and operating handle which may be operated merely by removing the operating hose and jerking the handle downwardly while carrying the extinguisher. If desired, the extinguisher may be set upon the ground while the handle is moved downwardly, but in no event is it necessary for the operator to let go of the operating handle.

In accordance with the invention this is accomplished by providing a fire extinguisher in which the combination carrying and operating handle is normally in position for convenient carrying of the extinguisher. The operating hose is carried between opposing abutments which prevent a downward movement of the handle, thus preventing accidental operation of the discharge means. Upon removal of the hose from between the opposing abutments, the operating handle may be moved downwardly, thereby actuating the discharge means. If desired, a sealing wire may be positioned so as to be broken by the hose as it is removed and thus give warning that the extinguisher should be inspected and recharged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire extinguisher which is simple and economical in manufacture, efiicient in operation and rugged in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example, an embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of an extinguisher in accordance with the invention, a portion of the extinguisher being shown broken away.

3,149,677 Patented Sept. 22., 1964 "ice FIGURE 2 is a top view corresponding to FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a fire extinguisher 1 in accordance with the invention and including a container 2 adapted to receive a fire extinguishing agent such as dry powder. The container 2 is fitted with a neck 3 providing a filling opening which is closed by a closure member An O-ring sealing gasket 5 is positioned in a groove in the closure member and a gasket 6 is interposed at the end of the neck 3.

Discharge means includes an internally positioned outlet pipe 7 terminating in a fitting leading through the wall of the container 2 and having attached thereto a hose 10 terminating in a conventional discharge nozzle 11 having a shut olf operating handle 12 and conveniently stored in a conventional nozzle holding fitting 13. Extending through the wall of the container 2 is a fitting 14- receiving a discharge head 15 for a cartridge 16 which is charged with a pressurizing fluid such as carbon dioxide.

The cartridge 16 has a closure member 17 threadedly engaged in neck 19 of the container. A rupturable disc 20 is adapted to be punctured to release the pressurizing fluid. The cartridge is threadedly engaged with the discharge head 15 as indicated at 21.

Fluid communication means 24 is provided through a tube 25 with openings as indicated at 26. The openings 26 are closed against inward fiow of fire extinguishing powder by rubber tube sleeves 26a, the sleeves readily permitting the passage of pressurizing fluid outwardly from the openings 26. Straps 27 and 28 are secured in position by screws 29 and 30 to hold the rubber sleeves 26a in proper position with respect to the openings 26.

In order to release the contents of the cartridge 16 an operating member 35 is provided with a puncturing member 36 at its lower end. The operating member 35 passes through an apertured partition member 37 sealed by means of an O-ring gasket 39. A washer 40 holds the O-ring 39 in position and provides abutment means for one end of a spring 41, the other end of which abuts against an enlarged portion 42 of the operating member 35. Upper portion 44 of the discharge head 15 is turned inwardly providing means limiting upward movement of the operating stem 35 by abutment of the enlarged portion 42 against the underside of the turned in portion 44. A rubber cap member 45 prevents entry of dust into the discharge head 15, the rubber cap member being positioned around the upper end of the operating member 35.

An extension member 46 for the operating member 35 is pivotally attached thereto as indicated at 47. The upper end of the extension member 46 is provided with a hook 47 with its opening 49 directed inwardly towards the container 2. A spring 51 has one end engaged in securing means on the side of the extension member 46 while its other end is passed around a bracket member 54 having a flwge 55 attached to the outer wall of the container 2.

At the upper end of the container 2 on the left side thereof is attached a bracket 60 carrying pivotable supporting means 61 for one end 62 of a combination carrying and operating handle 64. Other end 65 of the operating handle 64 has an extension 66 fitted with a pin 67 extending therethrough and providing latching means for cooperation with hook 47 of the extension member id. The handle extension 66 is recessed on both sides to provide an abutment surface 69. V

A removable cover 7t) is positioned about the cartridge 16 and its discharge head 15. The cover member 7th has a top surface 71 having a slit 72 (FIG. 2) therein to receive the extension 66 of the handle 64. The outer edge 74 of the top '71 provides an abutting surface cooperating with the first abutting surface 69 to receive the hose 10 therebetween. The side walls 75 of the cover member 7% are both provided with L-shaped brackets 76 having turned in flanges 7'? adapted to be hooked over the bracket member 54. The cover member 7% is made with a bottom Means to hold the cover member Til in place at its lower end includes an L-bracket member till attached to the side wall of the container 2 having an opening 82 therein to receive the tip of a screw 84 threadedly engaged in a bushing 35 secured in position in the bottom 30 of the cover member 73. The cover member 7'13 is secured in position by hooking the brackets 77 over the bracket 54 and adjusting the screw 84 so that its tip end engages in the opening $52 of the bracket bl.

f desired a sealing tape 86 may be inserted through an apertured extension $7 extending from the cover member 7%, the seal tape 86 passing through an opening 89 in end it) of the handle 64. The sealing tape 86 as is known in the art is readily ruptured by pulling the hose outwardly against it.

In the operation of the fire extinguisher while being transported to the scene of a fire, the discharge nozzl 11 may be withdrawn from its holding fitting l3 and the hose snapped to break the sealing tape 36. Upon arriving at the scene of the fire the extinguisher may be either set down upon the ground and the handle 64 pushed downwardly to cause the operating member 35 to move its puncturing end 3a through the sealing disc of the cartridge 16. Pressurizing fiuid then passes through the pipe into the fire extinguishing agent stored in the container 2. The fire extinguishing agent is then expelled through the syphon tube 7 and the hose ill through the nozzle 11 to the fire. In the event there is no solid surface to set down the extinguisher, it may be jerked downwardly causing the aforesaid operation in which the pressurizing fluid is released from the cartridge 15.

While the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that other embodiments may be resorted to without departing from the invention. Therefore, the form of the invention set out above should be considered as illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A fire extinguisher comprising a container for a fire extinguishing agent, pivotable supporting means positioned adjacent the top of the container and located on one side thereof, a cartridge for pressurizing fluid, a discharge head for the cartridge supported by the container on the side wall thereof and located on the side opposite to said pivotable supporting means, the discharge head in fluid communication with the interior of the container, an operating member extending upwardly from the can tridge discharge head, means limiting upward movement or" the operating member, a covering member for the cartridge, the top of the covering member having an opening therein, the top of the covering member forming a first abutment surface extending from the container, a combination carrying and operating handle carried at one end by said pivotable supporting means and extending over the closure member for the filling opening, an ex tension for the handle extending through the opening in the covering member and releasably engaging the operating means, means form g a second abutment surface positioned on said handle in opposed relationship to said first abutment surface, a discharge hose in fluid communication with the interior of the container, the hose releasably positioned between said opposed abutment surfaces, and a sealing member extending from the combination carrying handle and operating member to the covering member for the cartridge and positioned outwardly of the discharge hose, whereby the sealing member prevents tampering with both the closure member for the container and the cartridge without breaking said sealing member.

2. A fire extinguisher comprising a container for a fire extinguishing agent, the container having a filling opening at the top thereof, a closure member for the filling 4 opening, pivotablc supporting means positioned adjacent the top of the container at one side of the filling opening, a cartridge for pressurizing fluid, a discharge heafor the cartridge supported by the container on the side wall thereof opposite to said pivotable supporting means, the discharge head in fluid communication with the interior of the container, an operating member extending upwardly from the cartridge discharge head, means limiting upward movement of the operating member, a covering member for the cmtridge, the top of the covering member iorming a first abutment surface extending from the container, a combination carrying and operating handle carried at one end by said pivotable supporting means and extending over the closure member for the filling opening, releasable means engaging the other end of the handle with the operating means so that the coinbination carrying and operating handle can be swung away from its position over the closure member for the filling opening, means forming a second abutment surface positioned on said handle in opposed relationship to said first abutment surface, a discharge hose in fluid communication with tne interior of the container, the hose releasably positioned between said opposed abutment surfaces, and a sealing member extending from the combination carrying handle and operating member to the covering member for the cartridge and positioned outwardly of the discharge hose, whereby t e sealing member prevents tampering with both the closure member for the container and the cartridge without breaking said sealing member.

3. A fireextinguisher comprising a container for a fire extinguishing agent, the container having a filling opening at the top thereof, a closure member for the filling opening, pivotable supporting means positioned adjacent the top of the container at one side of the filling opening, a cartridge for pressurizing iiuid, a discharge head for the cartridge supported by the container on the side wall thereof opposite to said pivotable supporting means, the discharge head in fluid communication with the interior of the container, an operating member extending upwardly from the cartridge discharge head, means limiting upward movement of the operating member, an extension member for the operating member pivotably connected therewith at one end, a covering member for the cartridge, the top of the covering member forming a first abutment surface extending from the container, a combina tion carrying and operating handle carried at one end by said pivotable supporting means and extending over the closure member for the filling opening, releasable means extending from the other end of thehandle and engaged with the other end of said extension member so that the combination carrying and operating handle can be swung away from its position over the closure member for the filling opening, means forming a second abutment surface positioned on said handle in opposed relationship to said first abutment surface, a discharge hose in fluid communication with the interior of the container, the hose releasably positioned between said opposed abutment surfaces, anda sealing member extending from the combination carrying handle and operating member to the coverin member for the cartridge and positioned outwardly of the discharge hose, whereby the sealing member prevents tampering with both the closure member for the container and the cartridge without breaking said sealing member.

4. A the extinguisher comprising a container for a fire extinguishing agent, the container having a filling opening at the top thereof, a closure member for the filling opening, pivotable supporting means positioned adacent the top of the container at one side or" the filling opening, a cartridge for pressurizing fluid, a discharge head for the cartridge supported by the container on the side wall thereof opposite to said pivotable supporting "loans, the discharge head in fluid communication with the interior of the container, an operating member extending upwardly from the cartridge discharge head, means limiting upward movement of the operating member, an extension member for the operating member pivotably connected therewith at one end, hook means for the other end of the extension member, the opening of the hook facing the container, a first abutment surface extending from the container above said extension means, a combination carrying and operating handle carried at one end by said pivotable supporting means, a latching member extending from the other end of the handle and releasably engaged in said hook, means forming a second abutment surface positioned on said handle in opposed relationship to said first abutment surface, and a discharge hose in fluid communication with the interior of the container, the hose releasably positioned between said opposed abutment surfaces. 7

5, A fire extinguisher comprising a container for a fire extinguishing agent, the container having a filling opening at the top thereof, a closure member for the filling opening, pivotable supporting means positioned adjacent the top of the container at one side of the filling opening, a cartridge for pressurizing fluid, a discharge head for the cartridge supported by the container on the side wall thereof opposite to said pivotable supporting means, the discharge head in fluid communication with the interior of the container, an operating member extending upwardly from the cartridge discharge head, means limiting upward movement of the operating member, an extension member for the operating member pivotably connected therewith at one end, hook means for the other end of the extension member, the opening of the hook facing the container, spring means tending to pull the extension member toward the container, a first abutment surface extending from the container above said extension means, a combination carrying and operating handle carried at one end by said pivotable supporting means, a latching member extending from the other end of the handle and releasably engaged in said hook, means forming a second abutment surface positioned on said handle in opposed relationship to said first abutment surface, and a discharge hose in fluid communication with the interior of the container, the hose releasably positioned between said opposed abutment surfaces.

6. A fire extinguisher comprising a container for a fire extinguishing agent, the container having a filling opening at the top thereof, a closure member for the filling opening, pivotable supporting means positioned adjacent the top of t e container at one side of the filling opening, a cartridge for pressurizing fluid, a discharge head for the cartridge supported by the container on the side wall thereof opposite to said pivotable supporting means, the discharge head in fluid communication with the interior of the container, an operating member extending upwardly from the cartridge discharge head, means limiting upward movement of the operating member, an extension member for the operating member pivotably connected therewith at one end, hook means for the other end of the extension member, the opening of the hook facing the container, spring means tending to pull the extension member towards the container, a covering member for the cartridge the top thereof having an opening therein and forming a first abutment surface extending from the container above said extension means, a combination carrying and operating handle carried at one end by said pivotable supporting means, a latching member extending from the other end of the handle and releasably engaged with said hook, said other end of the carrying handle extending through the opening in the covering member, means forming a second abutment surface positioned on said handle in opposed relationship to said first abutment surface, and a discharge hose in fluid communication with the interior of the container, the hose releasably positioned between said opposed abutment surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,489,339 Stroop Nov. 29, 1949 2,620,038 Somers et a1. Dec. 2, 1952 2,719,590 Guise Oct. 4, 1955 

1. A FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPRISING A CONTAINER FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENT, PIVOTABLE SUPPORTING MEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT THE TOP OF THE CONTAINER AND LOCATED ON ONE SIDE THEREOF, A CARTRIDGE FOR PRESSURIZING FLUID, A DISCHARGE HEAD FOR THE CARTRIDGE SUPPORTED BY THE CONTAINER ON THE SIDE WALL THEREOF AND LOCATED ON THE SIDE OPPOSITE TO SAID PIVOTABLE SUPPORTING MEANS, THE DISCHARGE HEAD IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE CONTAINER, AN OPERATING MEMBER EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE CARTRIDGE DISCHARGE HEAD, MEANS LIMITING UPWARD MOVEMENT OF THE OPERATING MEMBER, A COVERING MEMBER FOR THE CARTRIDGE, THE TOP OF THE COVERING MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN, THE TOP OF THE COVERING MEMBER FORMING A FIRST ABUTMENT SURFACE EXTENDING FROM THE CONTAINER, A COMBINATION CARRYING AND OPERATING HANDLE CARRIED AT ONE END BY SAID PIVOTABLE SUPPORTING MEANS AND EXTENDING OVER THE CLOSURE MEMBER FOR THE FILLING OPENING, AN EXTENSION FOR THE HANDLE EXTENDING THROUGH THE OPENING IN THE COVERING MEMBER AND RELEASABLY ENGAGING THE OPERATING MEANS, MEANS FORMING A SECOND ABUTMENT SURFACE POSITIONED ON SAID HANDLE IN OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TO SAID FIRST ABUTMENT SURFACE, A DISCHARGE HOSE IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE CONTAINER, THE HOSE RELEASABLY POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID OPPOSED ABUTMENT SURFACES, AND A SEALING MEMBER EXTENDING FROM THE COMBINATION CARRYING HANDLE AND OPERATING MEMBER TO THE COVERING MEMBER FOR THE CARTRIDGE AND POSITIONED OUTWARDLY OF THE DISCHARGE HOSE, WHEREBY THE SEALING MEMBER PREVENTS TAMPERING WITH BOTH THE CLOSURE MEMBER FOR THE CONTAINER AND THE CARTRIDGE WITHOUT BREAKING SAID SEALING MEMBER. 